Hermitage Notes - Guarding The Flock

Safeguards are important … critically important.

Especially in the department that concerns books, periodicals, and pamphlets [blogs included] that easily communicate everything from abc to xyz to anyone and everyone that picks them up. [Please note the Personal Claimer in the sidebar at the right.]

Self-publishing content, whether of written or video format, has gotten easy in the past few decades.

Those with communication skills, a little technological savvy, and a few desktop publishing tools can launch themselves into popularity within any number of genres. Put a little promotional financial backing behind it from a benefactor or a special interest group and become a popular modern-day guru advising the world.

The Catholic genre is no exception in these modern times.

It has not, however, always been that way. And for good reason. The Church has the responsibility to guard not only the deposit of faith but also the flock that is gathered together in her care.

Consider that, as he was concluding the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 7:15-20, Jesus warned his followers to Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. Paul tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 to test everything; hold fast that which is good; abstain from every form of evil. In Acts 20:28-31 Paul cautioned the church at Ephesus to keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! I would be remiss to not mention the warnings and causes for the warnings found in Revelation Chapters 2 and 3.

As a convert to the Roman Catholic Church, and taking into consideration my personal faith formation background and Bible College training for pastoral ministry in a conservative Evangelical denomination, I cannot help but to be impressed with the way the Church has historically gone about the business of ensuring the safety and dependability of material written on the subjects of faith and morals. Those that wrote on subjects regarding the faith and morals of the Church were seriously scrutinized by the Church. The written works of those who wrote on these matters were seriously scrutinized by the Church. Those that passed muster bore stamps of approval that essentially insured nothing in the contents contradicted accepted Catholic dogma.

Religious Superior's stamp: IMPRIMI POTEST "It Can Be Printed"

Censor's stamp: NIHIL OBSTAT "Nothing Stands In The Way"

Bishop's stamp: IMPRIMATUR "Let It Be Printed"

Nowadays, after the Imprimatur, you might also read … The "Nihil Obstat" and "Imprimatur" are official declarations that a book or pamphlet is free of doctrinal or moral error. No implication is contained therein that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat and the Imprimatur agree with the content, opinions or statements expressed.

The procedure used in establishing these official stamps of approval is an important way for Catholics to increase their chances of staying error-free in regard to historically established Catholic doctrine [Faith and Morals]. Remember though, in these modern times [Post V-2], because of the influence of modernists and liberals in the Church, books which could well contain a watered-down theology, a warped view of History, etc. now do receive the "Imprimatur."

What do we Catholic laity do in this modern age where so many in the hierarchy of pastoral authority in the Catholic Church have bought into and are unabated in their promotion of theologies, Biblical interpretations, and areas of moral conduct that are a serious digression from the norms historically established by the Magisterium of the Catholic Church?

What recourse do I have?

Is there a source of help for me in these difficult times?

What course do I take?

What path do I walk?

Who do I believe?

Who do I follow?

What must I do [regardless of the cost me me] to remain [like the Saints and Martyrs] faithful to the historical truths revealed to and guarded by the Catholic Church?

These, for me, are important questions.

The way I respond to these questions will determine whether I am thoroughly Catholic or have become just another liberalized version of what once was.